A prominent eighteenth-century political theorist and philosopher, Edmund Burke wrote extensively on aesthetics, politics, and ethics. Harvard Classics: Edmund Burke brings together his most influential works, including:

Today’s $0.99 bonus book, Harvard Classics: Modern English Drama, features the witty comedies and moving dramas that defined eighteenth- and nineteenth-century English theater. Each work cleverly comments on the political and social issues of its time. You’ll get:

For over 500 years, Oxford University Press has published authoritative works by leading scholars. With the five-volume Oxford Humanities Reference Collection, you can incorporate this renowned scholarship into your study.

Together, these five volumes provide a comprehensive guide to Western thought—from its roots in classical antiquity, all the way up to the present day. Plus, with Noet’s advanced tagging, these exceptional reference works connect to relevant resources in your library, helping you discover new connections and see ideas in context.

For the exploration of humanity’s past, present, and future, this collection is indispensable.

Among the most beloved characters from medieval works are King Arthur and his (mostly) loyal Knights of the Round Table. One of their greatest adventures is retold in Sir Thomas Malory’s The Holy Grail. While many say that up to 150 knights sat at the Round Table, here are the ones featured in Malory’s best-known work:

Sir Launcelot

Family: Legend has it that he was raised by the Lady of the Lake (the same one who gave King Arthur his magic sword, Excalibur).

Character: He was perhaps the most talented of all the Knights of the Round Table—at least until his son showed up.

Flaw: Launcelot fell in love with Guenever (also spelled Guinevere)—who just happened to be married to King Arthur.

Fun Fact: While many knights elected to carry shields or wear armor that displayed their status, Launcelot was fond of disguising his identity.

Sir Gawaine

Family: Gawaine was one of King Arthur’s nephews.

Character: He was known for his courteous nature and his love of glory, adventure, and fame.

Flaw: Some thought that Gawaine was too much of a ladies man and that his love of fame often clouded his judgment.

Fun Fact: Gawaine was Launcelot’s best friend.

Sir Galahad

Family: Sir Galahad is Launcelot’s son.

Character: Galahad was the perfect Christian knight—courageous, gentle, and chivalrous. He believed that his first duty was to serve God, his second was to serve King Arthur.

Flaw: It would appear that Galahad’s only flaw was . . . actually, he was pretty flawless.

Fun Fact: Just like King Arthur, Galahad pulled a sword from a stone.

Sir Bors

Family: He’s the son of King Bors of Gaunes and Evianne.

Character: Bors was known for his virtuous nature.

Flaw: He was so committed to the rules of chivalry that he can often come across as legalistic.

Fun Fact: Sir Bors is Launcelot’s cousin.

Sir Percivale

Family: His father died in battle. Concerned that her son would meet the same fate, Percivale’s mother raised him in the forest, away from society. Despite her best efforts, one day young Percivale saw a group of knights. He was so impressed with their heroic appearance that he decided to join their ranks.

Character: Percivale was well-known for both his fighting skills and goodness.

Flaw: Due to his naiveté, Percivale often finds himself in awkward situations.

Fun Fact: When he first arrived at court, Percivale was mistaken for a fool. This is likely because his mother, in hopes of deterring her son’s success, had him wear an outlandish outfit.

A powerful story of redemption, Augustine’s Confessions also represents a cornerstone of Western theological and philosophical thought. Widely recognized as the first Western autobiography, Confessions presents Augustine’s reflections on his youth and Christian conversion. It represents the most complete record of any single person living in the fourth and fifth centuries, and a major milestone in the development of Western literature.

Curious about the significant events and ideas—both personal and political—that shaped Augustine’s life and Confessions? Keep reading.

The Life and Times of Augustine of Hippo

337: Following the death of Emperor Constantine, the Roman Empire is divided. The western portion is ruled by Constans, a Christian. The east is the domain of Constantius II, an Arian.

350: Constantius II becomes sole emperor of the Roman Empire.

354: On November 13, Augustine is born in Thagaste in North Africa. His father, Patricius, is a pagan. His mother, Monica, is Christian. His parents are poor, but determined to provide their son with a good education.

354–365: Through scrimping and saving, Patricius is able to send his son to school. Young Augustine adores his Latin studies. But, his Greek language instructor is rather mean. Augustine rebels against his harsh teacher by refusing to learn Greek. Later in his life, when reflecting on his method of rebellion, Augustine is regretful.

361: Julian, often referred to as “Julian the Apostate” becomes emperor of Rome.

364: Valentinian I succeeds Julian as emperor of the west. He instates his brother, Valens, as ruler of the east.

366: Augustine begins studying rhetoric in Madaura, North Africa. At the time, the art of elegant speaking was essential for anyone wishing to pursue a professional career.

371: Augustine begins studies at Carthage. He grows fond of the theater and develops close friendships with dissipated young men. He also begins an affair with an unnamed woman. Their relationship would last for 14 years.

372: Augustine’s beloved father, Patricius, dies. On his deathbed, to the joy of his wife, Patricius converts to Christianity.

Meanwhile, in Carthage Augustine’s son is born. He names him Adeodatus, which means “God-given.”

Around this time, Augustine also becomes interested in Manichaeism. This religious movement taught that the world was divided between light and darkness, good and evil, and that these opposing forces were in constant competition with each other. According to Manichaeism, this war also occurred within each individual human whose soul, composed of light, warred with the body, composed of darkness.

374: Returning home to Thagaste, Augustine teaches grammar. His mother, Monica, is upset that he became a follower of the Manichees.

376: Augustine returns to Carthage and teaches rhetoric. He is disappointed by his students, who delight in horseplay and despise study.

379: Theodosius I becomes emperor of the Roman Empire. He makes Christianity the official religion of the Empire.

383: Augustine moves to Rome and teaches rhetoric. This time his students attend class consistently—but refuse to pay their fees.

Augustine leaves Rome when Symmachus, prefect of the city, offers him a teaching position in Milan.

384: In Milan, Augustine begins studying Neoplatonism. He becomes intrigued by the Neoplatonic idea of a supreme being. Around this time he meets Bishop Ambrose and is impressed by the bishop’s sermons and spirituality.

386: After many challenging emotional, spiritual, and mystical experiences, Augustine converts to Christianity.

Of all the influential figures in Colonial America, Benjamin Franklin is perhaps the most memorable. Politician, author, scientist, postmaster, diplomat, inventor—he was the quintessential Renaissance man. He was born to humble origins and worked his way towards becoming one of the most influential men in America—if not the world.

Franklin credits his rise to prominence to a good work ethic and his constant endeavor to improve himself. At the age of 20, realizing that he was becoming trapped by poor decisions, he set out to unlearn his bad habits, replacing them with good ones. He identified 13 virtues and even kept a journal recording his progress. (Curious about what these 13 virtues entailed? Download today’s free book!)

In his Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin admits that he fell short of his virtuous ideals on multiple occasions. However, he writes that his lifelong pursuit of virtue did make him a better, happier, and more successful person.

Throughout his Autobiography, Franklin shares nuggets of wisdom learned through his many successes and failures. These timeless insights remain relevant today.

5 Pieces of Advice from Benjamin Franklin, Renaissance Man

About opportunity: “Human felicity is produc’d not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day.”

About personal relationships: “I grew convinc’d that truth, sincerity, and integrity in dealings between man and man were of the utmost importance to the felicity of life.”

About besetting sins: “In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; for, even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.”

About self-improvement: “If you wish information and improvement from the knowledge of others, and yet at the same time express yourself as firmly fix’d in your present opinions, modest, sensible men, who do not love disputation, will probably leave you undisturbed in the possession of your error.”

Nothing is below his notice! “[I]f you teach a poor young man to shave himself, and keep his razor in order, you may contribute more to the happiness of his life than in giving him a thousand guineas.”